Carrie Wineland

Carrie Wineland received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon in 2002 and her JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law with a Certificate in Criminal Litigation. Before attending law school, Carrie worked as a child abuse and neglect investigator in Albuquerque, New Mexico and later for the Child Welfare Department in Salem, Oregon. She was also a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for foster children during law school. From 2008 to 2013, Carrie worked at the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office as the Domestic Violence prosecutor.

Carrie often prosecutes animal abuse as part of domestic violence cases. In one such case, a man attempted to kill his wife, then shot and maimed five puppies because one of them defecated on his driveway. Two of the puppies survived but the rest had to be humanely euthanized. Carrie secured a guilty plea on charges of animal abuse and attempted murder and the perpetrator is in prison.

Carrie has prosecuted other animal abuse cases with equal determination. She successfully seized a former racehorse from the lineage of Seattle Slew who was found emaciated, injured, and riddled with parasites. He was brought to Strawberry Mountain Mustang Rescue, but had to be euthanized. In September of 2012, Carrie seized 257 animals from a woman who had been previously convicted of animal abuse and neglect. Miniature horses, miniature donkeys, dogs, cats, chickens, goats, a llama, a peacock and two full size horses were rescued in horrendous conditions. ALDF donated funds toward the investigation. ALDF’s Scott Heiser provided ongoing legal advice and support to both the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office and Josephine County Counsel’s office. After three months of intensive care, the animals were placed in new homes with signed agreements to provide care for the animals. Carrie says that seeing these animals go to loving homes was the most rewarding moment in her career.

Carrie has since resigned from the District Attorney’s office in January in order to travel with her three year old Blue Heeler mix, Maya (CGC), who enjoys agility and tennis balls.